Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

In message , JoeJoe
writes
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely
useless last time I tried.

You often don't get the car in the pictures though do you? You're just
booking a class of car.

--
Simon

12) The Second Rule of Expectations
An EXPECTATION is a Premeditated resentment.

On 07/01/2013 21:28, JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

Well those pictures get the plural of suitcase wrong. And the singular.

--
Rod

On 07/01/2013 21:36, usenet2012 wrote:
In message , JoeJoe
writes
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have
a larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely
useless last time I tried.

You often don't get the car in the pictures though do you? You're just
booking a class of car.


That's true. Last year we ordered something that looked pretty big (i.e.
Hyundai in the photo, and ended up with something that looked like the
Mazda that was apparently within the same class. Everyone but the driver
had to spend 3 hours with a suitcase on their lap... Not funny...

Just trying to avoid a repeat.

JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks).

I've been renting cars from airports for four decades. I can't recall ever
being given the car used to illustrate the "typical" car for the group,
ever.

For example, my wife was keen to try a Fiat Panda and we ordered a Panda
from the same hire company on multiple occasions. We got, on separate
occasions, a Matiz, a Golf, a Fiat 500 and a Dodge Calibre as well as
several other forgettable cars. Most recently I booked a Fiat Punto and got
an Audi A3 and a Nissan Micra and got an Audi A4.

In short all you can do is book a class of car, then put up with the hire
car company's interpretation of that class. If you are willing to face them
down, being firm and polite, you *may* get a free upgrade if the car of
your choice is not available.

If you look up boot capacities you will find the Mazda 2 is 250 litres, the
hatchback Hundy Accent is 350 litres, both measured with the back seats up.
If you think that you are guaranteed to get either car you are kidding
yourself.

--
€¢DarWin|
_/ _/

On Mon, 7 Jan 2013 22:02:00 +0000 (UTC)
Steve Firth wrote:

JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks).

I've been renting cars from airports for four decades. I can't recall
ever being given the car used to illustrate the "typical" car for the
group, ever.

For example, my wife was keen to try a Fiat Panda and we ordered a
Panda from the same hire company on multiple occasions. We got, on
separate occasions, a Matiz, a Golf, a Fiat 500 and a Dodge Calibre
as well as several other forgettable cars. Most recently I booked a
Fiat Punto and got an Audi A3 and a Nissan Micra and got an Audi A4.

In short all you can do is book a class of car, then put up with the
hire car company's interpretation of that class. If you are willing
to face them down, being firm and polite, you *may* get a free
upgrade if the car of your choice is not available.

If you look up boot capacities you will find the Mazda 2 is 250
litres, the hatchback Hundy Accent is 350 litres, both measured with
the back seats up. If you think that you are guaranteed to get either
car you are kidding yourself.


I once wanted to make sure that the car that I would be getting in
Alaska would be a four-wheel-drive Subaru, but National Car Rental Head
Office said that they didn't have them there. They had done three years
previously, but no matter. So when we arrived at Anchorage, they asked
us what colour of Subaru Legacy 4x4 we would like to take, as that was
the only model they had available.
Other than that, it is whatever the dice decide.
--
Davey.

On 07/01/2013 22:02, Steve Firth wrote:
JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks).

I've been renting cars from airports for four decades. I can't recall ever
being given the car used to illustrate the "typical" car for the group,
ever.

For example, my wife was keen to try a Fiat Panda and we ordered a Panda
from the same hire company on multiple occasions. We got, on separate
occasions, a Matiz, a Golf, a Fiat 500 and a Dodge Calibre as well as
several other forgettable cars. Most recently I booked a Fiat Punto and got
an Audi A3 and a Nissan Micra and got an Audi A4.

In short all you can do is book a class of car, then put up with the hire
car company's interpretation of that class. If you are willing to face them
down, being firm and polite, you *may* get a free upgrade if the car of
your choice is not available.

If you look up boot capacities you will find the Mazda 2 is 250 litres, the
hatchback Hundy Accent is 350 litres, both measured with the back seats up.
If you think that you are guaranteed to get either car you are kidding
yourself.


Thanks guys - I am no novice when it comes to car hire myself either -
an average on at least 3-4 hires per year over the last 20-odd years,
and am therefore well aware of all that was mentioned.

We arrive at the same time as last year - around 2am, at the business
time of the year, so no chance of anything being upgraded or even
downgraded, and hence trying to avoid the mess that we encountered then.

I had another look at the quotes, and I believe that the Hyundai details
are a misprint as every car in any class below it is advertised as
capable of holding 1 large + 2 small suitcases... Only the Hyundai, for
some reason, says 1 + 1...

Thanks again.

On 07/01/2013 23:05, JoeJoe wrote:
On 07/01/2013 22:02, Steve Firth wrote:
JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks).

I've been renting cars from airports for four decades. I can't recall
ever
being given the car used to illustrate the "typical" car for the group,
ever.

Thanks guys - I am no novice when it comes to car hire myself either -
an average on at least 3-4 hires per year over the last 20-odd years,
and am therefore well aware of all that was mentioned.

Um - so what's the point of agonising over which particular model has
the biggest boot?

--
David

In article ,
JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

Look for proper road tests of the models you're considering, like say from
Autocar. They give the boot etc volume.

--
*I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Jan 7, 9:51*pm, JoeJoe wrote:
On 07/01/2013 21:36, usenet2012 wrote:









In message , JoeJoe
writes
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have
a larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely
useless last time I tried.

You often don't get the car in the pictures though do you? You're just
booking a class of car.

That's true. Last year we ordered something that looked pretty big (i.e.
Hyundai in the photo, and ended up with something that looked like the
Mazda that was apparently within the same class. Everyone but the driver
had to spend 3 hours with a suitcase on their lap... Not funny...

Just trying to avoid a repeat.

So order a bigger class of car.

MBQ

On Tuesday, January 8, 2013 12:13:32 PM UTC, Man at B&Q wrote:
On Jan 7, 9:51*pm, JoeJoe wrote:

On 07/01/2013 21:36, usenet2012 wrote:



















In message , JoeJoe

writes

Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical

(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be

the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6



Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have

a larger boot than the Hyundai...



Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?



Many TIA.



PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely

useless last time I tried.



You often don't get the car in the pictures though do you? You're just

booking a class of car.



That's true. Last year we ordered something that looked pretty big (i.e..

Hyundai in the photo, and ended up with something that looked like the

Mazda that was apparently within the same class. Everyone but the driver

had to spend 3 hours with a suitcase on their lap... Not funny...



Just trying to avoid a repeat.



So order a bigger class of car.



MBQ

We once ordered a Fiat Ritmo for a holiday in Italy. When we got to Rome airport they gave us an estate car version instead. Just as well as two adults and two kids make up a helluva lot of luggage and the estate car just about managed.

fred wrote:
[snip]

We once ordered a Fiat Ritmo for a holiday in Italy.

Jings, did you enjoy the sight of dinosaurs majestically grazing on the
plains as pterosaurs wheeled overhead?

--
€¢DarWin|
_/ _/

On 07/01/2013 21:36, usenet2012 wrote:
In message , JoeJoe
writes


PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely
useless last time I tried.

You often don't get the car in the pictures though do you? You're just
booking a class of car.


At work, we've had hire cars upgraded at no extra cost to better
performance up-market cars and ended up with no leg room for back seat
passengers. Not good for 4/6 hour journeys.

Is the quoted size of the boot all usable space?

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On 07/01/2013 21:28, JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

You book a class of car not the exact model. Book an estate car instead.


--
Regards Peter Crosland

On 13/01/2013 08:29, Peter Crosland wrote:
On 07/01/2013 21:28, JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

You book a class of car not the exact model. Book an estate car instead.

Twice the price for some reason...

Phoned them in the end, and they clarify that the boot capacity of the
Hyundai on their website was indeed a mistake.

Thanks again to all.

JoeJoe wrote:
On 13/01/2013 08:29, Peter Crosland wrote:
On 07/01/2013 21:28, JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

You book a class of car not the exact model. Book an estate car instead.

Twice the price for some reason...

Phoned them in the end, and they clarify that the boot capacity of the
Hyundai on their website was indeed a mistake.

Thanks again to all.

Can I just suggest ditching suitcases for soft bags. Much much easier to
squeeze in to hire car boots that rigid or semi-rigid cases.

Tim

Tim+ wrote:

Can I just suggest ditching suitcases for soft bags. Much much easier to
squeeze in to hire car boots that rigid or semi-rigid cases.

I'd second that. We swapped to using soft cases a couple of years ago.
Particularly important for budget airlines where luggage allowances are
laughable. Argos sell a wheeled soft holdall that weighs just over 1kg,
which is a huge weight saving compared to even "air weight" hard shelled
cases. A bit of careful packing makes sure that items get to the other
end in one piece. Most recently I shipped an entire CCTV system
including DVR and monitor in my hold luggage. It was packed with towels
and clothing to act as "bumpers" at each end of the case. No problems
with it despite the best efforts of the Stansted case flingers.

On 13/01/2013 17:44, Tim+ wrote:
JoeJoe wrote:
On 13/01/2013 08:29, Peter Crosland wrote:
On 07/01/2013 21:28, JoeJoe wrote:
Looking to rent a car at Easter, and size of the boot is critical
(staying 3 hours from airport for 2 weeks). These two cars seem to be
the closest match in terms of size/price/etc -
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=34znj8k&s=6

Looking at the photos of the cars I cannot see how the Mazda can have a
larger boot than the Hyundai...

Anyone who's familiar with these makes/models care to explain?

Many TIA.

PS: I know I can phone and ask (Hertz), but they were completely useless
last time I tried.

You book a class of car not the exact model. Book an estate car instead.

Twice the price for some reason...

Phoned them in the end, and they clarify that the boot capacity of the
Hyundai on their website was indeed a mistake.

Thanks again to all.

Can I just suggest ditching suitcases for soft bags. Much much easier to
squeeze in to hire car boots that rigid or semi-rigid cases.

Tim


Agreed - have done that for the last few years.